LPL-5 gets kudos from experts Brand ambassador Michael Clarke gives thumbs-up for LPL

International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman Greg Barclay presents the Lanka Premier League trophy to Jaffna Kings Captain Charith Asalanka after the final in the presence of Sports Minister Harin Fernando (centre), Sri Lanka Cricket President Shammi Silva and LPL Tournament Director Samantha Dodanwela

Player of the Tournament and Player of the Final Rilee Roussouw ( Jaffna Kings)

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

For those who cast doubts on the Lankan Premier League (LPL) 2024, the provided a fitting answer where the game ebbed and flowed during Galle Marvels’ innings and eventually became a one-side contest when Jaffna Kings began their run chase.

The packed crowd that witnessed some spectacular batting at the R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium were given their money’s worth of entertainment by Tim Seifert and Bhanuka Rajapaksa when Galle batted and by Kusal Mendis and Rilee Rossouw during Jaffna’s reply. T20 batsmanship was at its highest quality and the best was reserved for the last.

Most pleasing was the final which was witnessed by a distinguished gathering of delegates who had come to attend the annual International Cricket Council’s (ICC) conference in Colombo. Among them were ICC Chairman Greg Barclay, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Jay Shah and ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit Head Alex

 Marshall. 

LPL Director Samantha Dodanwela said that he had a long chat with Barclay and he was highly impressed with the LPL which is good for the country and cricket in general.

“The ICC delegates were over the moon and really appreciative of what we have done,” said Dodanwela. “Alex Marshall who had a chat with me said that he was very happy that everything had fallen in line. He said that when he came in 2017, the ACU had almost 22 cases in Sri Lanka, but today only one with the Dambulla Thunders.”  

Michael Clarke, Australia’s 2015 World Cup winning Captain and Brand Ambassador of LPL 2024 sharing his insight on the incredible level of cricket played, the electrifying atmosphere in packed stadiums, and the impressive growth of the tournament said: ”Look around and you see 25,000 people turn up to watch a wonderful final. The teams have been amazing. I’ve been very fortunate to be a part of it. I’ve commentated on the PCL this year, the IPL this year, there is no difference. I can tell you right now, cricket is just as competitive, the players enjoyed it just as much and the Sri Lankan public loved it. If there is anybody criticising this tournament, it’s probably someone who’s never played the game or doesn’t know the game. I’ve been very lucky to play for a long time and to commentate for long enough. What I see here is that Sri Lankan cricket is in very safe hands.”